September 8, 2015
Sugaronline | http://goo.gl/M3sIjv
Having endured a delay in sugarcane procurement and the crop’s official price fixation which was stonewalled till March this year, farmers have asked the provincial government to settle the issues before the onset of October, according to Pakistan’s Tribune newspaper.
“The rate of PKR250 (US$2.4) per 40kg should be declared and the Sindh government should make sure the crushing season begins from October 1,” demanded the Sindh Abadgar Board.
According to the Sugar Factories Control Act, 1950, the cane crushing season is scheduled to start from October 1, continuing for nine months till the end of June. However, dispute over the price between the farmers and sugar mills has led to a delay in the process for the last several years.
Last year, the tug of war between the two sides started in October and ended in March this year after the price was fixed on a court order. The Sindh government agreed to bear subsidy of PKR12 per 40kg to pay PKR172 per 40 kg to the cane growers.